United flight #UA919 (Boeing 787-8 reg. N26902) from London Heathrow to Washington Dulles is returning to London Heathrow due to a disruptive passenger ("constrained and under control").

The passenger jet, which had 209 passengers and 13 crew on board, was heading to Washington but was forced to turn back over the Atlantic Ocean.

It is reported the disruptive passenger has been "constrained and is under control".

The aircraft dropped considerably in altitude while reportedly waiting for a landing spot at Heathrow.

The plane had been circling over Bournemouth in Dorset.

The US-based United Airlines is the third largest airline in the world.

According to reports, cabin crew have been forced to restrain a passenger.

The flight radar data shows the plane was barely out of the British Isles region before the crew decided to divert.

At around 4.30pm the plane landed at Heathrow Airport in west London.

A United spokesman said: "Our team is providing assistance to customers of United flight UA919 today, which returned to London Heathrow and was met by police on arrival due to an unruly passenger on board. The passenger was arrested and this is now a matter for the police.

"Due to crew exceeding their legally permitted duty hours, this flight has now been cancelled.

"We are providing our customers with meal vouchers and hotel accommodation and are making arrangements for them to complete their journeys tomorrow.